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Senator representing Anambra Central, Victor Umeh, has clarified that the Senate unanimously approved electronic transmission of election results in the proposed Electoral Act amendments, contrary to public reports suggesting lawmakers endorsed only a “transfer” of results.

Umeh spoke on Thursday while appearing as a guest on Channels Television’s Politics Today amid growing public outrage over reports from the Senate’s consideration of the Electoral Act Amendment Bill.

He explained that the legislative process on the amendment was extensive and deliberate, involving first and second readings, zonal public hearings, consultations with stakeholders, and reports from a joint committee of the National Assembly.

“It takes a process to make a law. A bill must go through readings, public hearings and consultations before debate and passage. Laws are not made for the sake of it; they are made to solve problems,” Umeh said.



According to the senator, the amendment to Section 60 of the Electoral Act 2022, dealing with the transmission of election results, emerged as a major public demand during consultations nationwide.

He noted that the issue became critical following the 2023 general elections, which were widely disputed and eventually litigated up to the Supreme Court.

“During the presidential election cases, arguments were taken on whether results uploaded to the IReV portal had legal backing. The Supreme Court held that electronic transmission was not expressly provided for in the law and discountenanced such evidence,” he said.

‘85% Agreement’

Umeh said stakeholders agreed the law must be amended to provide for electronic transmission, so courts would not again dismiss electronically transmitted results as “unknown to law”.

He explained that both chambers of the National Assembly worked on the amendment independently, adding that the House of Representatives had already passed its version of the bill with clear provisions for electronic transmission.

According to him, when the Senate considered the bill in a closed executive session, there was overwhelming agreement in favour of electronic transmission of results.

“Over 85 per cent of senators agreed to electronic transmission. It was common ground. Even the ad hoc committee of the Senate agreed to it,” he said.

Umeh clarified that the only modification agreed to during the executive session was the removal of the phrase “in real time”, due to concerns about possible network challenges in some areas.

He said confusion arose during plenary when a motion was reportedly moved to replace the word “transmission” with “transfer” without debate.

“It was only ‘real time’ that was expunged because of network issues. Transmission itself was never in dispute.

“There was no debate on (transmission) it. If debate had been allowed, it would have taken us back to the executive session where the issue had already been exhaustively discussed and resolved,” the senator said.

Umeh argued that replacing “transmission” with “transfer” would render the provision meaningless.

“You cannot talk about transfer to the IReV portal without electronic transmission. How do you transfer to a portal if it is not done electronically?” he asked.

Senator Umeh insisted that the Senate never agreed to revert to the wording of the 2022 Electoral Act, which referred to “transfer” of results.

Public Outcry

Addressing public outcry over the development, Umeh said Nigerians’ reaction showed that the outcome of the plenary did not reflect what was debated and agreed upon.

He said that they expect a more credible and transparent electoral process.

However, he stressed that the legislative process was not yet complete, as the Senate had not adopted its Votes and Proceedings from the sitting.

“We have not finished. The Votes and Proceedings of yesterday have not been approved. It is only approved proceedings that go to the conference committee for harmonisation,” he said.

Umeh expressed confidence that the issue would be resolved during the harmonisation process with the House of Representatives.

“When we return to approve the Votes and Proceedings, the question will be asked whether it truly reflects what we did. I believe the agreed position on electronic transmission will be restored,” he said.

The Senate on Tuesday passed the Electoral Act Amendment Bill 2026, retaining the current provision that allows INEC to transfer results as it deems fit, rather than making electronic transmission mandatory.

The Executive Director of the Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre (PLAC), Clement Nwankwo, has urged Nigerian lawmakers to respect citizens’ views in the ongoing review of the Electoral Act, warning that legislators must not “act as overlords”.

Nwankwo, in an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today, on Thursday, said a broad consensus had already been reached through joint National Assembly committees, public hearings and zonal consultations on key reforms, including real-time electronic transmission of election results.

However, he criticised the Senate’s use of closed executive sessions on a matter of “grave national public interest”, stressing that the Electoral Act is “not the personal property of anybody, it is a national property”.

“You have to be transparent. People elected you as a legislator; you didn’t fight your way into that position. You were elected by the people, and you represent the people. There is nothing that makes you superior to the ordinary Nigerian. You were elected, and you are accountable to the people.

“When you beg people to vote you in, you must listen to them. That is what is painful to a lot of us. You act as if you are an overlord, but you are not listening to us, the citizens,” he said.



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The PLAC executive director added that lawmakers are elected to serve the people and must remain accountable to them.

U.S. President Donald Trump has praised Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, describing her as a “very respected woman” during the National Prayer Breakfast in Washington, D.C on Thursday.

Trump made the remarks while addressing participants at the faith-based gathering, which was attended by political and civic leaders from across the world.

His comments highlighted Mrs Tinubu’s influence and stature, drawing applause from the audience.

In his address, Trump recognised the Nigerian First Lady’s role as a pastor in one of Nigeria’s largest churches and referenced her pastoral background.

“We are honoured to be joined today by the First Lady of Nigeria, who also happens to serve as a Christian pastor at the largest church in Nigeria — a very respected woman. Thank you very much, it’s a great honour, a very respected person too,” Trump said.



The acknowledgement placed the Nigerian First Lady among prominent global faith leaders present at the event, which brings together political figures, clergy, and policymakers for prayers and reflections on leadership, governance, and national values.

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has insisted that the country’s security partnership with the United States primarily focuses on capacity building, professional military education, intelligence sharing, logistics support, and strategic dialogue aimed at addressing shared security concerns, including terrorism.

The DHQ made the clarification following the report that U.S. troops had been deployed to Nigeria.

In a statement signed by the Director of Defence Information, Major General Samaila Uba, the DHQ emphasized that all engagements with the United States are conducted with full respect for Nigeria’s sovereignty and existing bilateral frameworks.

General Uba reassured Nigerians that the Armed Forces of Nigeria remain committed to protecting the nation’s territorial integrity, while collaborating with credible partners in ways that strengthen the country’s security.

READ ALSO: American Military Team Deployed To Nigeria, US General Says

The statement further stressed that Nigeria’s defence partnerships are transparent, policy-driven, and aligned with constitutional provisions, ensuring that international cooperation enhances the nation’s security architecture without compromising national independence.

A top US general recently said the United States has deployed a small military team to Nigeria.

Speaking after the United States launched strikes targeting militants in Nigeria on December 25, General Dagvin Anderson, head of the US Africa Command (Africom), said the two countries had decided to “increase collaboration”.

“We agreed that we needed to work together on the way forward in the region,” Anderson told a virtual news conference on Tuesday.

“That has led to increased collaboration between our nations to include a small US team that brings some unique capabilities from the United States in order to augment what Nigeria has been doing for several years.”

The Edo Police Command has arrested six suspected kidnappers following a coordinated overnight raid on a forest hideout in Etsako East Local Government Area of the state.

A statement on Thursday said the operation, carried out in the early hours of Tuesday, February 3, 2026, took place inside the Agbede Forest and was executed by a joint team of security operatives led by the Commissioner of Police, Edo State Command, Monday Agbonika.x

“A thorough sweep of the camp resulted in the arrest of six suspects,” the Police Public Relations Officer, Edo State Command, Enokoi Ikioye.

According to him, the police said the suspects are being profiled and are undergoing intensive investigation at the State Criminal Investigation Department, Benin City, ahead of prosecution.

Ikioye said the move was “part of ongoing joint clearance operations aimed at dismantling criminal networks operating within the state’s forests.”

Explaining how the operation was done, the police authorities said it followed “actionable intelligence provided by a kidnap victim who was able to identify the exact forest camp where he had been held.”

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Acting on the lead, a joint force comprising personnel of the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigerian Army, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, the Edo State Security Corps, and local hunters advanced into the forest under the cover of darkness.

“The joint team drove for approximately three (3) hours until the end of the last accessible motorable road. From that point, the operatives advanced on foot, navigating dense forest paths and crossing three (3) locally constructed wooden bridges to reach the identified camp.

“The silent advance, which lasted close to two (2) additional hours, ensured tactical surprise and prevented any compromise of the mission. Upon arrival at the location at about 3:45 a.m., the area was swiftly cordoned off in a well-coordinated encirclement, effectively cutting off all escape routes.

Meanwhile, commending the personnel involved, the Commissioner of Police,  Monday Agbonika, described the operation as a clear message to criminal elements, praising the courage, discipline, and inter-agency collaboration displayed during the raid.

Agbonika reaffirmed the Command’s resolve to take the fight against organised crime to “the most remote locations” and warned that forests in Edo State would no longer serve as safe havens for criminals.

The 183 worshippers abducted from the Kurmin Wali community in Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna State have regained their freedom, eighteen days after they were kidnapped by bandits during a church service on January 18.

The victims were received by Governor Uba Sani on Thursday at the Sir Kashim Ibrahim House in Kaduna.

Receiving the worshippers alongside heads of security agencies, top Kaduna State Government officials and community leaders, the governor described the occasion as “a day of joy for the state”.

He said the safe return of all the abducted worshippers vindicated the quiet but relentless efforts of the state government and security agencies.

Governor Sani described the kidnapping as a shock, particularly after what he said had been over two years of sustained peace resulting from close collaboration between the Kaduna State Government and security agencies to protect lives and property.

READ ALSO: [Kaduna Abduction] Gov Sani Confirms Return Of 82 Victims

He explained that following the incident on January 18, the state government immediately mobilised all relevant security formations and stakeholders with a single objective: to ensure the safe return of every victim.

The governor commended President Bola Tinubu, whom he said personally monitored developments from the first day, repeatedly calling to express concern and provide leadership support.

He also praised the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, for working closely with the state to coordinate the rescue efforts.

Governor Sani further lauded the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Oluwatosin Ajayi, the Nigerian Army, the Police and other security agencies for what he described as “exceptional collaboration” throughout the operation.

“For us in Kaduna, even one person abducted is unacceptable. That is why we refused to join issues or politicise the situation. Our focus was to bring everyone back alive,” he said.

Breakdown 

Providing a breakdown, the governor said 183 persons were initially abducted.

Eleven were released earlier and hospitalised, 83 regained their freedom days later, while the remaining 89 were rescued on Wednesday.

“Today, we would not be sitting here if even one person was still missing. I can say without contradiction that all those abducted have returned,” he declared.

Governor Sani also disclosed that he had requested the establishment of a military base around the Kajuru–Kachia axis, particularly the Rijana general area along the Kaduna–Abuja corridor, to strengthen security.

He said President Tinubu had already given assurances that the request would be granted.

The governor added that the state government had commenced construction of a road linking Kurmin Wali to the main road, alongside plans to build a hospital and a skills acquisition centre for the community.

Medical Examination

Sani stated that the rescued worshippers would not be returned home immediately, as they would first undergo medical examination.

He added that comprehensive psychosocial care in Kaduna will be carried out before reunification with their families.

Governor Sani urged residents to remain fair and supportive of security agencies, noting that security personnel risk their lives daily to protect communities across the state.

He assured that the Kaduna State Government would continue working with grassroots leaders, religious leaders and security agencies to prevent a recurrence.

Speaking on behalf of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Kaduna State, its Chairman, Rev. Caleb Maaji, described the rescue as a divine intervention and a test that the state successfully passed.

He expressed gratitude to the governor, security agencies and residents of Kaduna for standing firm in prayers and practical support until all the victims were freed.

“We are grateful because not some of them returned, but all of them returned. We thank God and appreciate the government and security agencies,” he said.

Some of the rescued worshippers narrated their ordeal to journalists, revealing that they were forced to trek for six days through the forest to the kidnappers’ camp.

Despite the trauma, the victims expressed appreciation to the governor and security chiefs for ensuring their safe return.

The police and Kaduna authorities had initially denied the abduction, describing it as a fabrication, an action that angered residents and community leaders who documented missing worshippers to prove the incident occurred.